Iran's Rial Currency Hits Record Low   04/29 06:13

   

   TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's national rial currency hit a record low 
Wednesday of 1.8 million to $1 as a shaky ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel 
still holds.

   The rial had remained stable in the early weeks of the war, which began Feb. 
28, in part because there was little trading or imports coming into the country.

   The rial began to slide two days ago, hitting the record low Wednesday.

   Experts warn the fall of the rial is likely to further fuel inflation in a 
country where many imported goods, from food and medicine to electronics and 
raw materials, are affected by the dollar rate.

   The war is now in a ceasefire, but a U.S. blockade has continued to increase 
pressure on Iran's already-battered economy, cutting into a key source of 
government revenue and hard currency by stopping or intercepting oil shipments.

   The latest slide comes months after a previous currency shock helped fuel 
nationwide protests in January. At the time, the rial weakened from about 1.4 
million to 1.6 million to the dollar in less than a week, deepening public 
anger over rising prices and fears about the country's economic future.

   Iran's economy has faced decades of sanctions, chronic inflation and a 
widening gap between official and open-market exchange rates. The war, which 
lasted weeks, added new strain to businesses, households and state finances.

   Prices of basic household goods had already been rising before the latest 
fall in the rial, adding to pressure on Iranian families even before the 
currency hit its newest record low. Over the past two weeks, people buying 
daily essentials have faced higher prices for milk, yogurt, cooking oil, bread, 
rice, cheese and detergents.

   The increases point to broader inflationary pressure in the economy, driven 
by uncertainty after the war, supply disruptions, higher transport and 
production costs and the continuing impact of the U.S. naval blockade. The 
rial's latest slide is likely to add further pressure in the coming days, 
particularly on goods tied to imports, packaging and raw materials.

   The economic pressure also has extended to the labor market. The reformist 
Shargh newspaper reported Monday that 500 workers at Pinak in Rasht and 700 
workers at Borujerd Textile Factory had been laid off since the beginning of 
the new Iranian calendar year in late March after their contracts ended.

   The reported layoffs add to concerns that rising costs, weaker demand and 
uncertainty after the war and blockade are forcing some companies to cut jobs 
or avoid renewing temporary contracts.